eidetic

American  

[ahy-det-ik] / aɪˈdɛt ɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or constituting visual imagery vividly experienced and readily reproducible with great accuracy and in great detail.

2. of or relating to eidos.

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eidetic British  

/ aɪˈdɛtɪk /

adjective

1. (of visual, or sometimes auditory, images) exceptionally vivid and allowing detailed recall of something previously perceived: thought to be common in children

2. relating to or subject to such imagery

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Other Word Forms

• eidetically adverb
• noneidetic adjective

Etymology

Origin of eidetic

First recorded in 1920–25; from Greek eidētikós, equivalent to eîd(os) eidos + -ētikos -etic

Example Sentences

He strips down the real stuff of reverse-immigrant struggles as eidetic text to be read.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

We know of this lullaby because Liebeskind, who was later killed at Sachsenhausen, transmitted the song there to Alexander Kulisiewicz, a Polish musician and political prisoner who had an eidetic memory.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

Abrams also graduated from Yale Law and has an excellent memory, though not an eidetic one.

From Washington Post • May 5, 2021

Photographic memory, eidetic memory, Hyperthymesia, Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory, perfect recall, there are a number of labels to choose from when discussing formidable memory prowess.

From The Guardian • Apr. 27, 2017

Aided by an eidetic memory, he was the last non-lawyer to argue a case before the United States Supreme Court—a case he won.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady